PINGREE — Ashley Lambson and Trina Nicholson were among a group of people drying noodles at St. John’s Catholic Church on Sunday.
“My grandmother (Rosemary Ray) has done this for years, so we help her out,” said Lambson.
Members of the parish make homemade noodles for about three weeks each November. The noodles are among the items sold at the church’s annual Christmas bazaar, scheduled on Dec. 4 this year.
“It gives the money to the church to be able to help the community out,” Nicholson explained.

PINGREE — Ashley Lambson and Trina Nicholson were among a group of people drying noodles at St. John’s Catholic Church on Sunday.
“My grandmother (Rosemary Ray) has done this for years, so we help her out,” said Lambson.
Members of the parish make homemade noodles for about three weeks each November. The noodles are among the items sold at the church’s annual Christmas bazaar, scheduled on Dec. 4 this year.
“It gives the money to the church to be able to help the community out,” Nicholson explained.
Muriel Judge said the bazaar originally was a way for church members to raise money to retire the debt for the building and property.
“Now we can do something for the community,” she added. “And we get great support from the community.”
The bazaar, always scheduled on the first Saturday in December, will run from noon to 4 p.m. In addition to the homemade noodles, items for sale will include needlework and crafts. And, there will be a raffle for a quilt, an afghan and $50 in cash. Tickets will be available at $1 apiece or six for $5.
And, Judge said, a lunch which will feature such items as homemade stew, chicken noodle soup, chili and a variety of breads will be on sale for $5.
Sunday’s work crew includes people in a wide range of age groups. Among those working were those in their early 20s and others in the late 80s and even older.
St. John’s Catholic Church is about one and one-half miles north of Pingree on Sheeptrail Road. There is a sign directing people where to turn.
The church was dedicated in 1981. Judge said that, to her knowledge, the bazaar started, “a long time ago. That’s the official word.” She and other parishioners estimated that it has been going 25 years.